Monthly Archives: October 2004

It’s been a hectic couple of months here at the Steeda Campus, but when you maintain your focus and work hard at your craft, some of the right people are bound to notice. And the payoff can sometimes exceed your expectations.

So it has been for Steeda Autosports, with the R & D of performance and appearance mods for the brand new Ford Mustang. As members of the SEMA Technology Transfer Program, we were supplied in advance with engineering data directly from Ford, so the design phase began early on. Yet between design changes from the factory (some parts we designed had to be re-engineered to suit), delays in receiving our first production car (despite the whale of a speeding ticket that came with it), and the occasional snafu with suppliers (you wanted it when?), Team Steeda persevered.

The result of these efforts are quite dramatic. Already 30 of the 100+ parts Steeda will have for the ’05 are being inventoried, so we’re meeting our goal of having these parts ready by the time dealers across the country have taken delivery of their cars. In fact, we’ve pretty much beaten the “after” right out of the aftermarket.

Unlike much of the industry, we were able to drive our display cars onto the trailer. With our focus on ‘the real world’ of production-based racing, we engineer parts that do-it-yourselfers can install with confidence onto their street cars. For those more interested in turning keys than wrenches, brand new Mustangs can be ordered through a growing network of participating Ford New Car Dealers. These cars will be covered by the Manufacturer’s warranty with the modifications warrantied by Steeda, and will be priced in the “attainable range” of the Mach 1s and Cobras of the past few seasons.

And, as if to underscore that ‘real world’ aspect of our operation, the Steeda Autosports Screamin’ Yellow Q was chosen by Ford for use in their official Press Conference on 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 2nd. Senior Ford Executives and select members of the Automotive Media will be among the first to drive the road-hungry racer; the rest of will have to be content to view it in the Ford Motor Company display for the balance of the show.

The Torch Red Q will be on display, too, thanks to a mad Sunday thrash to prepare that car for the trip west by Steve Chichisola, Chief Engineer of Steeda’s Racing Division, and the Steeda Tech Team. The Wood brothers themselves would have been proud of the effort, as are our friends at Nitto Tire, who are using this car and the popular Steeda Ultralite Wheels to show off their new shoes for the pony car.

While many vendors are still showing ‘renderings’ of their intended designs, or will have un-drivable ‘concept cars’ on display, Steeda Customers will be able to see, and perhaps even experience, the actual Steeda Autosports parts on an actual production car. At Steeda, “Speed Matters” – always on the track, and in cases like this, in the marketplace as well.

Based on the popular response of the American automotive market to Steeda Autosports’ new ’05 Mustang Screamin’ Yellow Q, Bishop Sales Ltd, a Canadian Steeda vehicle manufacturer has been given the green light to deliver a similarly prepared Steeda SYQ Mustang to Ford of Canada for their 2005 new car show display.

Steeda has long been the dominate supplier of true performance parts to American Mustang afficianados, and they now are expanding their presence in the Canadian market, supplying the same high quality, quick delivery and real performance to Canadian performance enthusiasts.

According to Jeff Dann, owner of Bishop Sales, Ltd. “We have longed to bring this new breed of All-American Muscle Car to Canada and make them readily available. Now we can, right here, right now.” With the blessing of Ford of Canada, these Steeda vehicles will soon be available at participating Ford dealers. From Port Alberni, BC to Dartmouth, NS where Bishop Sales handles distribution; in the eastern territories, Sterling Ford handles those duties.

Plan now to visit the Ford of Canada corporate display at the 2005 new car shows in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and more to see the brand new, road hungry Steeda Screamin’ Yellow Q. Enthusiasts seeking a first hand look at Bishop’s craftsmanship are encouraged to check out their Level III Steeda Focus on display at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

For more information:
Regarding the Canadian specifications, availability and show dates for the Steeda SYQ, contact Jeff Dann directly at (604) 984-3673, or email at jeff@bishopsales.com.

The Steeda Marketeers mustered out early this morning, to catch the sun rising over our brand new, road hungry Screamin’ Yellow Q. As Darkness gave way to daylight, we snapped a series of photos showing off the new Q from a variety of angles.

This car is being prepared for the SEMA show in November at the request of the Ford Motor Company – and it will be featured in their display. It sports the Full Race rear wing – a lower version for the Street is also available.

One final note about these photos: These are 14 genuine, unretouched photos of our car featuring the modifications and parts we have made. Two different digital cameras were used for the shoot, accounting for the slight variations in the yellow color from shot to shot. What you aren’t seeing here are any “PhotoShopped” or otherwise modified pictures. While many are still in the planning stages, Steeda delivers.

There are a lot of concepts, renderings and other images floating around out there, but very few folks have been fortunate enough to get their hands on “the real thing”. We thank our friends at the Ford Motor Company for giving us this opportunity to strut our stuff!

We unveiled the Track version of the Screamin’ Yellow Q at the Steeda Stampede, and then we rolled up to Moroso Motorsports Park for the Ford Power Festival. At both locations, the crowd response was overwhelming.

We appreciate the feedback we’ve received from our customers, and from Mustang fans in general. This has enabled us to update our Steeda Q Street Concept.

You can see several changes we’ve made in these photos:

1) The Street Concept Q will have a lower, yet still functional rear wing.

2) The rear valance design was treated to a rather boss, black-out re-design.

3) At the Stampede, we displayed the SYQ on a set of our Ultralite wheels. The Steeda Five Spoke Wheels have now been approved, with the correct size and offset for the ’06. The look and the fit combine for a dramatic effect.

What makes Steeda Ford’s Number One Aftermarket Company? You, the Satisfied Steeda Customer! That’s why we not only listen, we respond.

Thanks to all who called and emailed their opinions and suggestions. Again, any further suggestions and/or comments can be e-mailed to gofast@steeda.com

Over 40 years ago, Ford introduced the Mustang, created the muscle car niche and acquired over eight million happy customers along the way. This fall, Ford introduces a brand new Mustang, and has called upon their Number One aftermarket performance company to prepare a display car for the SEMA show worthy of that legacy. Happily, with 20 years of race winning experience added to Ford’s impressive, new platform, the Screamin’ Yellow Q (SYQ) from Steeda Autosports does not disappoint!

From the Curb: The ’05 Mustang has a retro-modern style, integrating design elements from the original cars of the ‘60’s (fast back roofline, long hood/short deck proportions) with the fit and finish modern day drivers demand. The SYQ takes nothing away from this pleasing balance, but compliments it with a trio of enhancements – a Steeda-designed hood, unique front air dam and functional rear wing, enhancing the car’s appearance and smoothing out the aerodynamics. Smoother is faster and, since lighter is faster, too, the SYQ sits on a set of Steeda Five Spoke Wheels – wheels cast under high pressure, making them lighter & stronger than other look-alikes.

In the Cockpit: The ’05 Mustangs, like those that came before, are ‘driver’s cars’, with all controls ergonomically positioned to keep the driver in control. Here, Steeda engineered a plethora of billet and chrome compliments to add a bit more style and substance to the factory offering; shifter bezel, emergency brake & pedal covers, door sill plates, window switches, door handles all get an upgrade and a dead pedal gets added to offer the needed support for the spirited driving sure to follow. And power shifting is expected, even encouraged, via the stout, patented Steeda Tri-Ax Ò shifter.

Underpinnings; the Beginnings of High Performance: Steeda’s approach to enhancing automotive performance rises from the bottom up – literally. Since horsepower not efficiently transmitted to the pavement is simply horsepower wasted, Steeda engineers start with data obtained directly from Ford, via the SEMA Technology Transfer program.

Then, with the R & D experience that twenty race-winning years in production-based Mustangs can provide, suspension and handling are addressed. Out back, beefy aluminum lower and fully adjustable upper control arms are substituted along with an adjustable panhard bar, while up front, Steeda’s X5 ball joints, bumpsteer kit, strut tower brace and adjustable camber plates are utilized. Steeda Sport Springs, and upgraded stay bars are found both front and rear. Does that line-up sound familiar? It might, when you consider that the current version of these Steeda parts are found under most of the production-based Fords seen in winner’s circles this year, at both road courses and at drag strips.

The Hood Also Rises: Up top, the Technology Transfer continues with an exclusive calibration designed to maximize the performance benefits obtained from Steeda engineered underdrive pulleys, cold air induction, headers and high flow exhaust. These elements raise the performance from the factory 300hp level by a full 15% to 350hp – all naturally aspirated.

Yes, a supercharged version is in the works (SYQ-SC), and yes, it will produce over 400hp like the current Steeda Q400 – but those who cannot wait for more performance will find that as the ’05 Mustangs ship to dealers in October, Steeda already has over 100 different parts on their shelves or in the pipe. That means parts are readily available for do-it-yourself enthusiasts who like to turn their own wrenches. For those who prefer simply to turn keys, ’05 Mustangs may be enhanced at the Steeda Campus in Pompano Beach, Florida, or through their nationwide network of New Vehicle Dealers.

So when does 40 + 20 = 100? When America’s premiere automaker takes its 40 years of Mustang success and permits Steeda to enhance the performance based on 20 years of race-winning experience. The result: 100% high-performance driving satisfaction! The only down side – as Ford begins production of the next eight million Mustangs, not all of them will get to be a Steeda SYQ.

Will yours? The industry gets their first look at the Steeda ’05 SYQ at Ford’s SEMA Showcase in November. Orders will be taken prior to the event.

This past weekend marked the public debut of the 2005 Steeda Screamin’ Yellow Q Mustang at the 5th Annual Steeda Stampede Event. Over 700 enthusiasts enjoyed a Saturday morning on the Steeda campus where they toured the sales, manufacturing and installation facilities, attended tech sessions and witnessed the unveiling of the 2005 Steeda Q. The response was tremendous and extremely positive. Steeda used the opportunity to gain valuable customer input as various design elements are being finalized.

Alligator Alley catered the event, treating folks to some of the finest barbeque to be found in south Florida. Between their bill of fare, and the thousands of dollars of prizes awarded from sponsors of the event, plenty of smiling faces were seen on the grounds.

Members of the media, notably Steve Turner, from 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords, Gerry Burger from Ford Builder, Tom Shaw from Musclecar Enthusiast and Keith Keplinger from Tire Tracks were on hand to take in the event. Several cars on display were pulled aside by the editors for feature photo shoots – you might expect added coverage of the event in your mailbox, or at a nearby news stand soon. SteedaRadio, the company’s in-house, low-power fm broadcast station kept folks entertained with an eclectic mix of music, and informed with the schedule of events and breaking news bulletins… like the report of the speed trap set up on the route to Moroso.

The Steeda Stampede Event derives its name from the convoy of Mustangs that travels from Steeda to Moroso Motorsports Park, some 60 miles away in Jupiter, Florida. Leading the pack was the Screaming Yellow Q, and the “Stampede of Mustangs” stretched for miles – this year over 250 cars were registered.

Moroso Ford Power Festival

The Ford Power Festival annually attracts over 25,000 Ford enthusiasts from all over the Southeastern United States. The event features drag racing, car shows and a manufacturer’s midway. The focal point of the Steeda display for the two day show was the 2005 Steeda Screamin’ Yellow. As the photos document, the crowd response was exceptional all weekend long.

To add impact to the Mustang’s debut, we drove the car in two parade laps. Naturally, we provided a script, extolling the virtues of the 2005 Mustang, for the track announcer to read as the Q went down the track. Upon its return to the Steeda exhibit, the crowds returned, checking out every aspect of the 2005 Steeda Screamin’ Yellow Q.

From the moment we arrived, until the moment we packed up of Sunday evening, there was a large crowd around the car, photographing, video taping and checking out the features on, in and beneath the vehicle.

Next Steps

Scheduled for display at the he Q returns to Moroso for the Southeastern SVTOA Track Day, next Sunday, October 17. The Steeda will participate in the on-track activities, in front of a key audience. Then, the SYQ will be prepped for her trip west, to be an focal point in the Ford display at SEMA show in November.

Thanks again from Steeda Autosports to Ford Motor Company, our Sponsors, the media, the gang from Alligator Alley, and most of all, our customers – it’s your enthusiasm, input and participation that has made Steeda Ford’s Number One Aftermarket Company!

Rodney is a Mustang builder & road racer with multiple SCCA series championships, and 70-plus podium finishes. He is a Daytona International Speedway track record holder. Over 20 years of performance experience.